The analysis of the history of life over long time spans and on a dynamic geographic stage is the focus of my research. Unveiling impactful data is the focus of my fieldwork. From dinosaurs to birds to ancient humans, many of the questions remain the same. First, what happened? Then, why did it happen? And … Continued
I use mathematics and computation to study questions in evolutionary and population biology. My research seeks to understand molecular evolution in natural populations of viruses, as well as laboratory populations of microbes; the evolution of proteins under natural selection to retain their present function or to adapt new functions; and the dynamics of protein translation. … Continued
I use genetics, genomics, and molecular biology in fruitflies (Drosophila) to study how selfish genes impact genome evolution. Much of evolutionary change in genome regulation, content, and organization is a consequence of conflicts between selfish genes and their hosts. My research focuses on three areas— speciation, segregation distorters, and meiotic recombination. My work on speciation … Continued
My research is directed towards understanding the structure and dynamics of plant communities and terrestrial ecosystems, especially of tropical forests. My group integrates empirical and theoretical approaches to pursue this aim. A major focus of our current research concerns quantifying the carbon budgets of tropical forests, investigating how these respond to environmental variation and depend … Continued
Rivers and lakes are disproportionately rich in species, and worldwide degradation of these ecosystems jeopardizes both their biodiversity and their value to humanity for food, water, and recreation. Sound strategies are needed to guide conservation efforts from the local to global scale. Our work integrates perspectives on evolutionary diversification, ecological linkages between organisms and ecosystems, … Continued
I study biological diversity and phylogeny. Phylogeny (life’s evolutionary tree) is the large-scale history of genetic descent, and as such is central to the interpretation and organization of information on all characteristics of organisms, from structure and physiology to genomics. Much of my work develops analytical methods by which to understand evolutionary process from this … Continued
I am an evolutionary ecologist whose research takes a multi-disciplinary, integrative approach to understanding evolutionary diversification. Focusing on the diversity of lizards in the genus Anolis, my group combines studies of ecology, behavior, functional morphology, genomics and systematics to address why the evolutionary radiation of anoles (400+ species) has been so successful and how particular … Continued
My research group pursues science motivated by a fundamental curiosity about how ecological systems operate and the pressing need to solve global environmental challenges. Though I am primarily an empirical ecologist, the approaches taken in our group often have population models at their core, allowing rigorous links between theoretical concepts and the dynamics of field … Continued
My research focuses on two pervasive and inter-related forms of biological change: disease emergence and species invasions. Both have important consequences not only for individuals but also for entire ecological communities and ecosystem services. My group endeavors to develop an ecological understanding of disease emergence as a prerequisite for intervention. Parasites and pathogens are an … Continued
I have been studying the behavioral ecology of African carnivores continuously since the late 1980s, working on both their conservation and the evolution of their cognitive abilities. My research interests focus on the ontogenetic development, physiological substrates, and evolution of mammalian behavior and intelligence. My group uses both experimental and observational techniques to test hypotheses … Continued